Not everyone calling themselves a music fan has heard of Nils Lofgren. Which is pretty amazing when you consider he's spent the thick end of a quarter of a century in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Lofgren originally replaced Steve Van Zandt when 'Miami Steve' left the band for a while in the eighties.

He's also enjoyed notable individual success and played in Ringo Starr's band, all of which comes on top of having started his remarkable musical journey in Neil Young's band back in 1969, aged just 17.

And you hadn't heard of him. Hang your head in shame. Okay, head up, eyes front or you'll miss it: Nils Lofgren, who you now know is a bona fide rock'n'roll legend, is returning to the UK for the first time since 2006 with nine dates across the country in 12 busy days in October.

Amongst other delights, Nils will get to witness the new town splendour of Basingstoke (12th), marvel at the architectural wonder that is Manchester's Lowry theatre (14th) and then be humbled by the Georgian magnificence of Edinburgh's Queen's Hall (23rd). The tour also takes in London, Birkenhead, Cambridge, Bristol, Derby, Preston, Glasgow, Gateshead, Norwich and Birmingham, before closing at the Salisbury City Hall on Saturday 30th October.

The guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter will be playing acoustic sets of old and new material in what promises to be a rare and special treat for axe fans everywhere.

Tickets go on sale Friday (£28.50/ £32.50 for London + fees).